Adjustable Headband

ABSTRACT

A simple low cost and fashionable headband which can easily and comfortably be adjusted while remaining on an individual&#39;s head without the need for that individual to cease an activity in which the individual is engaged.

CROSS-REFERENCE

Not Applicable

GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

Swimming is a sport that performed in liquid, typically water. At times, while swimming, an individual's face will be obscured from other individuals viewing them from the surface of the liquid in which the individual is swimming or individuals who are concurrently engaged in swimming. By way of example and without limitation swimming may be performed in lakes, rivers, the ocean or swimming pools. Swimming may be done for many purposes including but not limited to recreation, exercise or research.

Specialized equipment is not required for swimming. However, individuals may elect to wear a device, which they may personalize, on their head so that they may be identified even if their face is obscured. In addition, individuals with longer hair, whose hair may obscure their vision while engaged in swimming, may elect to wear a device on their head which restricts their hair's ability to move into and/or through their field of vision. By way of example and without limitation, an individual may elect to wear a swim cap or headband to assist in their personal identification and reduce the possibility that their hair will obscure their field of vision while they are engaged in swimming.

Diving is a form of swimming and is the practice of submerging oneself in liquid, either with breathing apparatus (scuba diving and snorkeling) or by breath-holding (free-diving). Diving is a sport which can be practiced in almost every water mass in the world. Diving activities are typically restricted to relatively shallower depths. Diving is also typically restricted to conditions which are not excessively hazardous, though the level of hazard acceptable to the diver can vary considerably. Similar to swimming, occasionally divers may dive in liquids other than water.

Some form of equipment is required for almost all diving. The equipment an individual will utilize will vary somewhat depending upon: the type of diving in which they intend to engage (e.g., snorkeling, scuba diving, etc.), their diving environment, their preferences and the individual's physical condition. Employing the correct equipment in the proper manner is key to maximizing the safety and enjoyment of any diving experience. Partial or total failure of any piece of equipment has the potential to not only jeopardize the objective or enjoyment of the dive but also place the individual's life in danger.

Controlling hair, especially long hair, during swimming or when diving is important for many reasons. Controlling hair during swimming keeps the swimmers field of vision clear and permits the swimmer to focus on the purpose of the swim (e.g., recreation, exercise or research).

Controlling hair, especially long hair, during diving is important to not only permit the diver to focus on the purpose of the dive but also to maintain the equipment. Specifically, long hair may float in front of a diver's field of vision and get horribly tangled in other equipment in the process. In addition, loose hair can get under the skirt of the mask, causing leakage, water seeping into the mask causing a flooding mask, which will interfere with the diver's vision. Vision during a dive is of utmost importance, not only for the enjoyment of the dive, but also for the monitoring of gauges the diver depends on for safety reasons

In the past, individuals have employed headbands generally consisting of a loop of elastic material or a horseshoe-shaped piece of flexible plastic or metal in an attempt to prevent their hair from moving in a manner that they did desire while swimming or diving. However, such headbands could not be easily and comfortably adjusted in the water while remaining on the individuals head if their circumference was determined to be too large or too small. Instead the individual would be required to cease their activity exit the water remove the headband and either make the desired adjustments or chose a new headband.

In the past, individuals have also employed beanies in an attempt to restrict the motion of hair when diving or swimming. Beanies are a head-hugging brimless cap which may or may not employ a visor. Beanies immobilize hair but are unattractive and compress the individual's hair causing tangles when the beanie is removed.

For these reasons, there is a need for a headband which may be personalized whose circumference can be easily and comfortably adjusted while the headband remains on an individual's head.

SUMMARY

The above listed applicant identified a headband which may be personalized and whose circumference can be easily and comfortably adjusted while the headband remains on an individual's head. The headband is comprised of an elongated band comprising a first end comprising a first loop a middle section and a second end comprising a second loop at least one cord threaded through at least one fastener, which is adjustable, said first looped said second looped and returning through said adjustable fastener. The adjustable fastener can be utilized to easily and comfortably adjust the circumference of the headband by either reducing the circumference of the cord loop thereby reducing the circumference of the headband or by increasing the circumference of the cord loop thereby increasing the circumference of the headband.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows a version of the headband (4) from the rear with a length of cord (1) that forms an adjustable loop utilizing one permanent fastener on top (2) and one adjustable fastener on the bottom (3);

FIG. 2 shows a version of the headband (4) from the front with a length of cord (1) that forms an adjustable loop utilizing one permanent fastener (2) on top and one adjustable fastener on the bottom;

FIG. 3 shows a version of the headband (4) from the rear with two lengths of cord (1) that form an adjustable loop utilizing adjustable fasteners (2) on both the top and bottom;

FIG. 4 shows a version of the headband (4) from the front with two lengths of cord (1) that form an adjustable loop utilizing adjustable fasteners (2) on both the top and bottom;

FIG. 5 shows a version of the headband (4) from the rear with one cord (1) that is already looped that forms an adjustable loop utilizing adjustable fasteners (2) on both the top and bottom; and

FIG. 6 shows a version of the headband (4) from the front with one cord (1) that is already looped that forms an adjustable loop utilizing adjustable fasteners (2) on both the top and bottom.

DESCRIPTION

The invention involves a headband, which may be personalized, created from a band attached at both ends to a loop of cord created using at least one adjustable fastener. The circumference of the loop of cord may be easily and comfortably increased or decreased via the adjustable fastener thereby easily and comfortably increasing or decreasing the circumference of the headband. The ease of such adjustments provides the advantage of permitting the increasing or decreasing of the circumference of the headband while still being worn by the individual.

A fastener is a hardware device that mechanically joins or affixes two or more objects together. In the present case, the fasteners, when placed in a hold position, will join or affix two sections of the cord together to form a loop. Fasteners can be either permanent or semi-permanent (i.e., adjustable).

Permanent fasteners hold two sections of the cord together but do not reasonably transition between a hold position and release position. By way of example and without limitation, an example of a permanent fastener is a stainless steel crimp. Such an example (i.e., the stainless steel crimp) would be a permanent fastener as it would require a significant amount of force and/or specialized tools (e.g., needle-nose pliers) to transform its position from a release position to a hold position and vice versa.

Adjustable fasteners hold two sections of the cord together and reasonably transition between a hold position and release position. By way of example and without limitation, an example of an adjustable fastener is a plastic spring lock. Such an example (i.e., the plastic spring lock) would be an adjustable fastener as it would not require specialized tools (e.g., needle-nose pliers) to transform its position from a release position to a hold position and vice versa.

The present invention may utilize more than one fastener. In addition, the present invention may utilize both permanent and adjustable fasteners. By way of example and without limitation, as disclosed in FIG. 1 the invention may employ a permanent fastener at the top of the cord loop and an adjustable fastener at the bottom of the cord loop.

In addition, the fasteners may be located at any other position on the cord loop. By way of example and without limitation, an adjustable fastener may be located on either side of the cord loop provided the circumference of the cord loop can still be adjusted.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention and to provide for the maximum ease and comfort in adjusting the circumference of the headband, the band and the cord will be elastic materials. The cord will be threaded through one permanent fastener, the loop on one end of the band one adjustable fastener, the loop on the opposite end of the band and returning through the permanent fastener. The permanent fastener will be on the top of the headband with the adjustable fastener on the bottom end of the fastener. However, either or both the band and the cord may be a non-elastic materials the permanent fastener may be an adjustable fastener and only one adjustable fastener is required to create the cord loop provided the circumference of the cord loop can still be adjusted.

This invention may be utilized by individuals participating in activities in which hair may obscure the individual's field of vision who wear headbands and require the ability to adjust the circumference of their headband without disrupting their participation in the activities. Swimming and diving are the primary activity considered; however, the present invention has applications in many other activities. By way of example and without limitation, the present invention has applications in sports, dance and exercise. The present invention would permit such individuals to adjust the circumference of their headband without having to cease participation in the activities.

The band may also be constructed of an absorbent material. Such construction would be intended to reduce the possibility of perspiration flowing into at least one eye of the wearer while participating in sports, dance, exercise or any other activity in which an individual may perspire. By way of example and without limitation, such material may be a Bamboo type material that is highly wicking, yet soft and elastic. Such a construction would not only reduce the possibility of hair from obscuring the individual's field of vision, but also keep and reduce the possibility of perspiration from getting into at least one eye of the wearer.

The band may also be constructed of a warmer material to provide protection of the head and ears from the elements (e.g., cold, wind, or rain). By way of example and without limitation, such warmer material may be a fleece. Such warmer material would be advantageous for using the present invention in outdoor activities where protection from the elements would be desired along with preventing hair from obscuring and individual's field of vision (e.g., skiing or hiking).

The adjustable cord loop can also hold hair. Specifically, hair may be passed through the adjustable cord loop to create a pony tail. The circumference of the adjustable loop may then be reduced to provide the desired hold of the hair.

The headband may also be personalized to permit the personal identification of the individual wearing the headband by individuals viewing the activity the individual wearing the headband is participating in or by individuals participating concurrently in the activity in which the individual wearing the headband is participating. Such personalization may include but is not limited to: (1) a band comprising material including one or more pictures, colors, letters, numbers, patterns, metals, stones, plastics, textures or any combination thereof; (2) a cord comprising material including one or more pictures, colors, letters, numbers, patterns, metals, stones, plastics, textures or any combination thereof; (3) the use of fasteners comprising material including one or more pictures, colors, letters, numbers, patterns, metals, stones, plastics, textures or any combination thereof; and/or (4) affixing material including one or more pictures, colors, letters, numbers, patterns, metals, stones, plastics, textures or any combination thereof to the headband. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A headband comprising: a. an elongated band comprising: i. a first end comprising a first loop; ii. a middle section; iii. a second end comprising a second loop; b. at least one looped cord connecting: i. at least one fastener, which is adjustable, ii. said first loop and iii. said second loop.
 2. The headband of claim 1, wherein said band comprises elastic material.
 3. The headband of claim 1, wherein said band comprises absorbent material.
 4. The headband of claim 1, wherein said looped cord comprises elastic material.
 5. The headband of claim 1, wherein said band comprises a polar fleece material.
 6. The headband of claim 1, wherein said band comprises material including one or more pictures, colors, letters, numbers, patterns, metals, stones, plastics, textures or any combination thereof.
 7. The headband of claim 1, wherein said looped cord comprises material including one or more pictures, colors, letters, numbers, patterns, metals, stones, plastics, textures or any combination thereof.
 8. The headband of claim 1, wherein said fastener comprises material including one or more pictures, colors, letters, numbers, patterns, metals, stones, plastics, textures or any combination thereof.
 9. The headband of claim 1, wherein material including one or more pictures, colors, letters, numbers, patterns, metals, stones, plastics, textures or any combination thereof is fastened to said band, said looped cord, said fastener or any combination thereof.
 10. A headband comprising: a. An elongated band comprising: i. a first end comprising a first loop; ii. a middle section; iii. a second end comprising a second loop; b. at least one looped cord connecting i. at least two fasteners, at least one of which is adjustable, ii. said first loop; iii. said second loop.
 11. The headband of claim 10, wherein said band comprises elastic material.
 12. The headband of claim 10, wherein said band comprises absorbent material.
 13. The headband of claim 10, wherein said looped cord comprises elastic material.
 14. The headband of claim 10, wherein said band comprises a polar fleece material.
 15. The headband of claim 10, wherein said band comprises material including one or more pictures, colors, letters, numbers, patterns, metals, stones, plastics, textures or any combination thereof.
 16. The headband of claim 10, wherein said looped cord comprises material including one or more pictures, colors, letters, numbers, patterns, metals, stones, plastics, textures or any combination thereof.
 17. The headband of claim 10, wherein said fastener comprises material including one or more pictures, colors, letters, numbers, patterns, metals, stones, plastics, textures or any combination thereof.
 18. The headband of claim 10, wherein material including one or more pictures, colors, letters, numbers, patterns, metals, stones, plastics, textures or any combination thereof is fastened to said band, said looped cord, said fastener or any combination thereof.
 19. A headband comprising: a. An elongated band comprising: i. a first end comprising a first loop; ii. a middle section; iii. a second end comprising a second loop; b. at least two cords forming a loop connecting i. at least two fasteners, at least one of which is adjustable, ii. said first loop; iii. said second loop.
 20. The headband of claim 19, wherein said band comprises elastic material.
 21. The headband of claim 19, wherein said band comprises absorbent material.
 22. The headband of claim 19, wherein said looped cord comprises elastic material.
 23. The headband of claim 19, wherein said band comprises a polar fleece material.
 24. The headband of claim 19, wherein said band comprises material including one or more pictures, colors, letters, numbers, patterns, metals, stones, plastics, textures or any combination thereof.
 25. The headband of claim 19, wherein said looped cord comprises material including one or more pictures, colors, letters, numbers, patterns, metals, stones, plastics, textures or any combination thereof.
 26. The headband of claim 19, wherein said fastener comprises material including one or more pictures, colors, letters, numbers, patterns, metals, stones, plastics, textures or any combination thereof.
 27. The headband of claim 19, wherein material including one or more pictures, colors, letters, numbers, patterns, metals, stones, plastics, textures or any combination thereof is fastened to said band, said looped cord, said fastener or any combination thereof. 